LIVE: People urged to 'avoid area' as cordon put in place outside Matalan (2025)

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"It was chaos": Shopping horror after man stabbed in attack at retail park before area evacuated

Horrific scenes erupted at a retail park in Oldham on Sunday (March 30) after a man was stabbed in a violent knife attack.

Police raced to the Alexandra retail park on Park Road at around 3.25pm to reports of a stabbing. The area was cordoned off with shoppers evacuated and told to leave the area.

It's understood the victim, whose condition has not been confirmed, then ran into Matalan for help. Clothes were seen on the ground in the doorway as the front of the store was also taped off by officers.

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Forensics arrive at retail park after stabbing

CSI teams are now in attendance

Specialist crime scene investigation (CSI) officers have now arrived at the retail park pic.twitter.com/DSGvT9jogY

— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) March 30, 2025

Pavement taped off at entrance

Part of the pavement and a grassed area is also cordoned off this evening

The pavement and a grassed area next to one of the vehicle exit lanes has also been taped off pic.twitter.com/wgSjPi6GWc

— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) March 30, 2025

"It's shocking"

Bill Brown, 80, added:

Police officers were searching all the way down Park Road, on the pavement and grass verges then taped another bit off. I don’t know what they were looking for, maybe the weapon.

We’re used to trouble and things like this around here. It’s the modern life. It happening so close to your doorstep is not ideal. It’s just shocking to think someone would do that.

"The sirens made so much noise. It was chaos."

Locals are speaking to our reporter at the scene

I’ve just spoken to Bill Brown, 80, who lives on Park Road facing the retail park. He said: “I saw them arrive, there was 10 or 11 police cars, a couple of ambulances, paramedics. The sirens made so much noise. It was chaos because cars were still trying to get into the car park”

— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) March 30, 2025

Inner cordon outside Matalan

Police are focusing their activity outside Matalan

We understand the man ran into Matalan for help following the knife attack. An inner cordon is in place with the entrance to the store taped off. A paramedic vehicle is also parked outside pic.twitter.com/uB9JLsgyFP

— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) March 30, 2025

Entrance to retail park remains taped off

Entrances into the retail park remain blocked by police with a cordon in place

The entrance to the retail park has been completely sealed off pic.twitter.com/pefD2mMgEX

— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) March 30, 2025

Our reporter is at the scene

I’m at Alexandra Retail Park where a cordon is in place after a man was reportedly stabbed this afternoon pic.twitter.com/BmR2MMxLER

— Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN) March 30, 2025

Paramedics remain at scene

Police and paramedics remain at the scene of the stabbing this afternoon.

Multiple emergency vehicles are still in the car park - which has been fully closed to the public.

Pictures from the scene this afternoon

Police have now sealed off the entire retail park and car park and urged people to avoid the area.

Forensics and officers remain in attendance today carrying out investigations.

Man 'ran into Matalan' for help after horror knife attack

The victim is thought to have sought help inside the Matalan store after being stabbed this afternoon.

A man was knifed outside at the Alexandra Retail Park in Oldham at around 3.25pm. It's understood he then ran inside the Matalan store.

Clothes can be seen on the ground in the doorway, with the outside of the store taped off.

The rest of the retail park has also been cordoned off and turned into a crime scene.

Police issue updated statement

A new statement issued by the police this afternoon reads: "The public are advised to avoid the area to allow emergency services to respond. The retail park car park is closed to members of the public."

Entire retail park and car park closed

The entire retail park and car park has now been cordoned off by police.

The scene is also causing traffic issues in the area, so police are reminding members of the public that the entire site is now sealed off.

Man rushed to hospital following knife attack

A man has been taken to hospital following the knife attack this afternoon.

Police and paramedics raced to the scene at around 3.25pm.

The investigation is still in its very early stages - with no more details confirmed by police.

'Avoid area' warning issued by police after man is stabbed

Greater Manchester Police has issued an avoid the area warning this afternoon following the stabbing at the retail park.

A force spokesperson said: "We are currently in attendance to Alexandra retail park after a man was reportedly stabbed at 3.25pm this afternoon (Sunday 30 March 2025).

"The incident is in its very early stages and the circumstances are not yet known.

"The public are advised to avoid the area to allow emergency services to respond."

Cordon in place outside Matalan store

A police cordon is in place at the entrance to a Matalan store this afternoon.

It is not known whether the knife attack was inside the store or occurred outside.